Council approve lodgement of development application for Rosny Hill

Council approve lodgement of development application for Rosny Hill

Clarence City Council has given approval for Hunter Developments to enter stage four of the expression of interest (EOI) process for development at the Rosny Hill Nature recreation Area.

The advancement enables the developers to lodge a development application for accommodation, restaurants and a conference centre for Rosny Hill, together with a public viewing platform/lookout to improve access for locals and visitors.

The fourth stage comes after Hunter Developments conducted community consultation earlier in the year, which included a public meeting at the Rosny Park Bowls Club, as well as obtaining a total of 38 written responses.

Issues raised within representations included traffic concerns, inappropriate scale and design of the development, impact on vegetation and wildlife, and limitations to public access, together with expressions of general support for the development.

As a result of the consultation, Hunter Developments have revised their original plans to significantly scale back the size and footprint of the proposed development, including the quantum and type of accommodation proposed.

The overall number of proposed accommodation units has been reduced from 120 to 102, a 15% reduction. In particular, the number of free standing accommodation pods has been reduced by 56%, to be replaced by hotel accommodation located under the proposed viewing platform.

Other changes include the addition of a 250 seat restaurant with public access, amendments to the conference centre, and a potential joint venture with Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to develop a wildlife sanctuary on the proposed site.

In the amended proposal the extensive public viewing platforms will include public amenities and a kiosk. A main carpark, together with an overflow carpark, will also be provided which will be open to the public for use.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said Council has noted Hunter Developments has consulted with the community and further refined their design in response to community comment, enabling them to move on to stage four and lodge their development application.

“The revised proposal aims to balance community and commercial use of the site whilst maintaining environmental values,” Mayor Chipman said.

“In the event of a development application being lodged, the public will then have the opportunity to make representations to Council on the proposal.”

“Progression to stage four of the EOI process enables detailed assessment through the normal statutory planning approval process, as well as the establishment of the development timeframes that will apply in the event the proposal obtains a planning permit.”